FROM EIR DAILY ALERT

China-Bashing Harvard ‘Scholars’ Lie about Belt and Road ‘Debt Trap’

May 16, 20018 (EIRNS)—A report issued earlier this week by the Harvard Kennedy School of Policy Analysis warns the State Department of the dangers lurking behind the Belt and Road Initiative, and China’s alleged plans to trap unsuspecting Asian and Eurasian countries through its “debt book diplomacy,” according to Asia Times today. The report highlighted 16 countries in particular which it says have been targetted by China and are the most “vulnerable” to its insidious policies.

Immediately, an unnamed State Department official told CNN that the Trump Administration will

“encourage China to promote and uphold internationally accepted best practices in funding. We need to ensure recipients have options that allow them to retain their sovereignty and future control of their economies.”

Alex Wong, Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs had a similar line in addressing the hearing held by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific and International Cybersecurity Policy.

Of the 16 countries China is reportedly targetting, Pakistan, Djibouti and Sri Lanka are described as the most vulnerable. The report also points to such Pacific nations as Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Tonga, which “owe Beijing billions of dollars in loans,” and are “encircling” U.S. allies Australia and New Zealand.

The Chinese government has called the report “very irresponsible” and based on stereotypes. In a briefing earlier this week, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang pointedly said that only the governments and people that are cooperating with China have the right to comment on the specific effect of that cooperation. China, he said, is abiding by “the principles” of consultation, contribution and shared benefits, China Daily reported.